![](https://d3ilqtpdwi981i.cloudfront.net/UVd6ZlIiSFHY1dPTyvng9vTq7N4=/425x550/smart/https://bepress-attached-resources.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/4c/d8/32/4cd832a5-02c4-4d96-b66c-ccb4f25a97f2/thumbnail_b8912196-24d0-4b86-9ea8-e77082725066.jpg)
After circumcision the first operations done on man were for bladder stone. Done by charlatans the operation often resulted in loss of life and caused the early lithotomists to maintain a periĀpatetic existence, vanishing from the town the night after surgery was performed. About two centuries ago stones became a common disease amongst kings: surgeons took over from the charlatans and commenced blind skilful mechanical lithotripsy where a curved instrument was introduced per urethram, its jaws opened to engage the stone which was then crushed by a mechanical (screw driven) closure of the jaws. Now-a-days urinary bladder lithotripsy is done under vision and aided by ultrasound drilling, or electrohydraulic shock wave produced by a direct contact probe. Renal stones can be safely operated on or removed percutaneously.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jamsheer_talati/13/